Cambodia!

Last week we visited Cambodia and Vietnam for Kevs birthday break! First stop - Cambodia!

The flight to the Capital Phnom Penh is 1 hr from Bangers. We left bright and early and arrived at the hotel in PP in time for brekkie! After a quick change into cool clothes - it was hot hot hot - we headed out for a little wonder, then to our first stop - S-21 Prison!

I'm embarrassed to say I did not know too much about Cambodia before we went. Sure, I did a little research, glanced over the Lonely Planet guide and watched the movie The Killing Fields - but I seriously had no idea just how horrendous and tragic this country’s past is! One quarter of their population was wiped out over a 3 year rule by the Khmer Rouge! 

The S-21 Prison, also known as the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, is in the city centre, once a high school, it turned into the Security Prison 21 when the Khmer Rouge were in power. It cost $6 to get into S-21 (£4 or 24 000 Cambodian Riel - everywhere in Cambodia accepts both the Dollar or Riel - can get a a bit confusing!), you get an Audio headset that takes you to various stops around the prison, giving you information on what happened there, stories from ex prison guards and survivors and trial testimonies. I found the headset very informative and painted a clear picture of what was surly hell on earth! Over 17 000 people went into S-21 Prison  - only 7 survived! 

One section of the prison was used as the torture rooms – here there is a single metal bed in the room with chains, it remains unchanged from when they found it. On the wall, a picture of the prisoner and the state they found them in, the rooms are hollow and eerie, some with bloodstains still on the wall. The rest of the Museum houses pictures of the prisoners, paintings, KR documents, torture instalments used and human remains. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more horrific – it could! 

One of the surviving prisoners sits in the garden and talks to visitors. He is in his seventies now and goes to the prison every day to chat with people, shares his ordeal and stories from S-21 in the hopes that this horrific piece of history will never repeat itself. After the S-21 visit, we were both a bit emotionally shattered. We sat in a café nearby. Just sitting.

Tuol Sleng Genocide the Museum

The next day we took a tuk-tuk to the Killing Fields! This too is one of the most tragic and devastating places I have ever visited. Discovered shortly after the fall of the KR – over 8 000 people were killed and buried in this mass grave. This is just one of many Killing Fields around Cambodia, most are still inaccessible due to location and landmine threat. In the middle of this field which was once an orchard, is a massive Stupa, known as the Choeung Ek Monument, This Stupa was built to pay respect to all those who died there, it houses their remains, including over 5 000 human skulls.

It costs $6 to visit this site, you also you get an the Audio guide that takes you around from stop to stop. Again it was very informative and shocking to hear what went on there, you could also choose to listen to stories from witnesses, extracts from the trial and ex KR statements. One of the worst parts for me was that you could still see bone fragments and clothing in the soil. Every few months the curators go around collecting bones, teeth and clothing that have surfaced.  

Choeung Ek Monument

So – not to paint a totally gloomy and depressing picture of Cambodia – Cambodia is actually pretty awesome! It’s one of the up and coming city break destinations, the food is amazing (once ruled by the French – they make a mean baguette!) and the beer is pretty good! There are loads of trendy restaurants and coffee shops all over the city – and did I mention the amazing markets! Shopping!

Exploring Phnon Penh!

Sadly our time in Cambodia was limited, but we'll definitely be going back to explore more of it! Defo add this remarkable country onto your list if you are planning to visit SE Asia! 

Cheers Cambodia...until next time!